Communication fulfillment architectures, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

A client-user implemented document and communication creation system for generating a communication using a remote terminal remote from the system, can include at least one memory including computer program instructions and at least one processor that may be accessed remotely by the terminal. The at least one memory and the computer program instructions can further be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system at least to receive client-user specified data insertion instructions comprising client-user specified data from the remote terminal to the processor. The at least one memory and the computer program instructions can additionally be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system at least to process the transmitted client-user specified data insertion instructions in accordance with one or more client-user generated rule/instruction of the at least one client-user generated rule/instruction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/120,772, filed Jun. 25, 2014, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to architectures, systems,and methods for communication fulfillment.

The demand for effective communication strategies continues to increase.While various technologies have been created for automating manualoperations, these technologies have traditionally relied upon outdatedarchitectures, leading to inefficient results.

SUMMARY

Communication fulfillment architectures, systems, and methods aredisclosed herein.

In one aspect, a client-user implemented document and communicationcreation system for generating a communication using a remote terminalremote from the system, can include at least one memory includingcomputer program instructions and at least one processor that may beaccessed remotely by the terminal. The at least one memory and thecomputer program instructions can be configured to, with the at leastone processor, cause the system at least to store at least oneclient-user generated rule/instruction. The at least one memory and thecomputer program instructions can also be configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause the system at least to provide at least onetemplate wherein the template has a data-insertable zone therein. The atleast one memory and the computer program instructions can further beconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to receive client-user specified data insertion instructionscomprising client-user specified data from the remote terminal to theprocessor. The at least one memory and the computer program instructionscan additionally be configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the system at least to process the transmitted client-userspecified data insertion instructions in accordance with one or moreclient-user generated rule/instruction of the at least one client-usergenerated rule/instruction. The at least one memory and the computerprogram instructions can also be configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the system at least to insert the received client-userspecified data into the zone, in accordance with at least oneclient-user generated rule/instruction. The at least one memory and thecomputer program instructions can further be configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause the system at least to process a finalapproval of the communication containing the client-user specified data.The at least one memory and the computer program instructions canadditionally be configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe system at least to process a transmission mode specification. The atleast one memory and the computer program instructions can also beconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to transmit the finally approved communication in accordance withthe transmission mode specification.

In another aspect, a method for generating a client-user created andimplemented document and communication using a terminal that isinterconnected remotely to the system can include storing at least oneclient-user generated rule/instruction. The method can also includeproviding at least one template. The template can have a data-insertablezone therein. The method can further include receiving client-userspecified data insertion instructions that include client-user specifieddata from the remote terminal to the processor. The client-userspecified data can be included directly or referentially, such as by alink or other directions to data stored on a server. The method canadditionally include processing the transmitted client-user specifieddata insertion instructions in accordance with one or more client-usergenerated rule/instruction of the at least one client-user generatedrule/instruction. The method can also include inserting the receivedclient-user specified data into the zone, in accordance with at leastone client-user generated rule/instruction. The method can furtherinclude processing a final approval of the communication containing theclient-user specified data. The method can additionally includeprocessing a transmission mode specification. The method can alsoinclude transmitting the finally approved communication in accordancewith the transmission mode specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate aspects of the present disclosure and,together with the description, further serve to explain the presentdisclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a work-flowconfiguration of a customized document creation system and methodologyin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an example of a generalizedconfiguration of a number of customized document creation systeminterface modules in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is an example of a multi-zone layout employed in a customizeddocument creation system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is diagram illustrating the compilation of packages fortransmittal as an example of a multi-documents generation by acustomized document creation system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an access point/distribution point flowchart illustrating acustom document methodology and system for generation, finalization andtransmittal of customized documents by the system in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture of a system according to certainembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mini-engine according to certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an architecture of a content delivery systemaccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, itshould be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. Aperson skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that otherconfigurations and arrangements can be used without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to aperson skilled in the pertinent art that the present disclosure can alsobe employed in a variety of other applications.

It is noted that references in the specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc.,indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further,when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it would be within the knowledge of aperson skilled in the pertinent art to effect such feature, structure orcharacteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described. In general, terminology may be understood at leastin part from usage in context. For example, the term “one or more” asused herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used todescribe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular senseor may be used to describe combinations of features, structures orcharacteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,”or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or toconvey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. Inaddition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarilyintended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allowfor existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described,again, depending at least in part on context.

The term “variation” of an invention includes any embodiment of theinvention, unless expressly specified otherwise. A reference to “anotherembodiment” in describing an embodiment does not necessarily imply thatthe referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment(e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unlessexpressly specified otherwise.

The various processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computingdevices. A processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or moremicrocontrollers, one or more digital signal processors) may receiveinstructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and execute thoseinstructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by thoseinstructions. For clarity of explanation, the illustrative systemembodiment is presented as comprising individual functional blocks(including functional blocks labeled as a “processor” or “engine”). Thefunctions these blocks represent may be provided through the use ofeither shared or dedicated hardware, including, but not limited to,hardware capable of executing software. For example, the functions ofone or more processors presented in FIG. 2, may be provided by a singleshared processor or multiple processors. Use of the term “processor”should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable ofexecuting software. Illustrative embodiments may comprise microprocessorand/or digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM)for storing software performing the operations discussed below, andrandom access memory (RAM) for storing results. Very large scaleintegration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSIcircuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may also beprovided.

A “processor” includes one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, or like devices or any combination thereof. Thus, adescription of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus forperforming the process. The apparatus can include, e.g., a processor andthose input devices and output devices that are appropriate to performthe method. Further, programs that implement such methods (as well asother types of data) may be stored and transmitted using a variety ofmedia (e.g., computer readable media) in any desired way. In someembodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used inplace of, or in combination with, some or all of the softwareinstructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments.Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used insteadof software only.

The term “computer-readable medium” can refer to any medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures)that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such amedium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatilemedia, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile mediainclude, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistentmemory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM),which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media includecoaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media mayinclude or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagneticemissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) andinfrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, orany other medium from which a computer can read.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field ofautomated, client-user implemented, secure document creation anddistribution to permit customized documents to be created by aclient-user and then delivered to third parties designated by theclient-user in either printed or electronic format. The system maypermit highly customizable documents to be generated by the client-userwith little or no input from the system manager by providing the userwith multiple templates, content management and process control. Thismay permit information to be collected from the generating entity oruser and merged into multiple documents, campaigns and communications tothird parties in multiple formats, according to the client-user'sspecification. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure permitindividual job design, management of the contents of the job, datainsertion and manipulation, reporting management and related tools thatpermit the final documents to be communicated in printed or electronicformat, through traditional mail delivery or e-mail, as well as SMS/textmessaging and other transmission means. Certain embodiments furtherprovide for the creation of on-line response mean through a proxy modulewherein a recipient of a proxy or other material may respond to theproxy by electronic response or hard copy response, which may then beconverted to electronic compilation of responses. Certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure also provide for a compliance module to permitmaterial to be reviewed at various points in the production cycle toensure compliance with a client-user's internal rules and compliancewith state, federal and other statutory and regulatory rules.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure were developed to automatethe fulfillment of communications for a variety of registeredclient/customers through a method of multi-client data feeds into aweb-enabled software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform to provideself-service program communications served to third-parties designatedby customer via developed templates, data-rules, and communication typesand driven to either a print/mail production facility or digitalgateway.

Certain embodiments are both an internal and external platform designedfor client-driven, self-service communications and also for printproduction management and delivery automation for production facilities.

The client-driven, self-service interface of certain embodiments can beused to develop and edit and delivery dynamic communications based onsingle data feed or established routine automated data feed using eithercustom file transmissions or API connectivity.

The print production management and delivery automation interface can beused by an established company serving out the platform to manage theregistered agent client users that have access to the client-driventools interface.

The web-enabled SaaS for registered client-users may provide secureaccess based on registered clients (see, for example, FIG. 2 and FIG.5). Moreover, certain embodiments may provide multi-tenant support ofmore than one customer who can communicate to designated third parties.The self-service platform of certain embodiments may permit automatedprint/mail and digital delivery.

Certain embodiments may provide for client-user driven externalcommunications to third parties (see, for example, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).This approach may rely on a document and template inventories. Moreover,certain embodiments may enable communication package management.Furthermore, certain embodiments may provide associated data mapping,rules, and dynamic-content elements. An associated physical inventorymanagement can be provided by communication package. There can be anassociated data mapping, rules, and dynamic-content elements. There canbe restriction to delivery or guaranteed second party approvalrequirements. Furthermore, certain embodiments may permit reporting andarchive retrieval.

Certain embodiments may provide an automation and management frameworkfor production facility utilization (see, for example, FIGS. 1, 4, and5). Certain embodiments may provide automation and may permit access toprint/mail production. Additionally, certain embodiments may provideaccess to a digital delivery gateway. An associated physical inventorymanagement by package can be provided. Furthermore, certain embodimentscan provide communication job management and reporting by fulfillmenttype, date/time.

The generation of documents for distribution to third parties in, forexample, ad campaigns or other forms of mailings, has typically been acomplicated manual task involving the labor of a number of people andoften requiring repeated back and forth between the entity seeking tocreate the documents and the printer or entity that is responsible foractually generating the document. This is often further exacerbated whenthe creating entity has multiple layers of personnel who are required toprovide input to the document and approval for the interim and finaldocument product.

All of this creates delay and the real possibility of errors which areundetected until late in the document creation cycle. The generation ofsuch customized documents (e.g., campaigns, mass mailings, reports, andthe like) has required the expense and participation of a number ofprofessionals, both inside the creating entity and within the publishingentity and has been beyond the ability of automation. When automationhas been attempted, it has generally required a custom application or aspecial-purpose system that is not available to the majority of users.

One existing technique is to use HTML, or XML coding to define fieldsand other decision trees that can be used to build a document. Suchtechniques require substantial knowledge of coding and prevent those whounderstand the document best from being closely involved with thegeneration of a document.

Oftentimes a user (creator) creates a document or a program according toa work process flow as is described below. First, the user (creator)creates a document or a program and edits the document until the creatorfeels that the document has reached a certain level of completion. Then,the user submits the document to a supervisor who checks the document.Then, the user edits the document once more based on remarks andcorrections made by the supervisor. From there, the document might besubmitted to a printer or other outside entity for formatting andcreation of a mock-up or sample which would then be returned to the useror supervisor for approval.

According to the work process flow as is described above, a document ora program may be created without notable problems when the user(creator) understands what kind of document the supervisor (checker) isdemanding and where the entity that is ultimately going to generate thedocument also understands what kind of document is to be ultimatelycreated. However, when there is a misunderstanding on the creator's sideto and a document is created that is significantly different from whatthe supervisor (checker) has in mind, the supervisor (checker) has tomake significant changes to the document created by the user (creator),this being a burden on the supervisor's side, and the user (creator) hasto make extensive edits on his/her document based on instructions andadvice from the supervisor, this being a burden on the user's side. Insuch a case, it creates a burden on both the user (creator) and thesupervisor (checker) and delays the generation of a document that can betransmitted to the third party for the preparation of the final proof.

Accordingly, in recent years and continuing into the present, varioustechniques are being developed for enabling a creator and a checker tocreate and edit work such as a document in a collaborative manner so asto reduce the burden of both the creator and the checker.

Document-centric workflows are fundamental to many organizations. At thesame time, document sharing, workflow support, user authentication andother workflow-enabling services are often locked within organizationalfirewalls for various reasons, ranging from the organization's securitypolicies to software license concerns. Internal processes, howeveroptimized and important, may only be a small part of the business oflarge companies. They may not be able to exist without collaboratingwith customers, partners, suppliers and vendors.

Various types of external collaborations are emerging too: companiesforming alliances, participating in standards bodies or forums,acquiring government certifications, undergoing external audits, andoutsourcing or merging. These are just a few examples of ‘non-contained’document workflows. These cross-organizational workflows often carryinformation of different levels of sensitivity: auditing information,prospective mergers and acquisitions, tender proposals or patentapplications, etc., many of which may involve multiple participants fromdifferent organizations, and security domains that require differentlevels of access.

Despite the growing availability of cloud-based and other web services,it is often difficult, undesirable or impracticable to involve thirdparty services to provide access control and workflow order enforcementas both the confidential document contents and the authentication ofworkflow participants may need to be fully disclosed to such a service.The situation can be further exacerbated if the existence of theworkflow itself is desired to remain confidential. As a result,documents are often delivered over traditional e-mails or posted onportable storage media, such as flash drives, CD, DVD, etc.

The situation may further be complicated by increasing documentcomplexity. Increased complexity includes the separation of a documentpresentation and its content for reuse, variable data publishing andmultiple presentations embedded within the same document for a deliveryover different channels. Documents have often become composites ofdifferently formatted files and their fragments “glued” together byvarious applications.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a system that allows for the securecreation and distribution of customized documents by client-users to bedelivered to third parties either in printed or electronic format. Thereis further a continuing need for a system to permit the automaticgeneration of customized documents with direct client-user input that iseasy to use, permits the generation of substantially final documentswithout the need, after initial implementation, for third-party(printer) intervention and is accessible to a wide group of diverseend-users. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure solve theseneeds and others as described below.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a documentcreating system can be provided to permit a client-user (including aplurality of persons who are associated with a client or customer, usinga plurality of terminal apparatuses that are interconnected via anetwork-interconnection via a network such as the Internet can be anexample of connecting remotely) to create a document by providing inputdata and custom client-defined rules, the system including setting acondition for creating initial client-defined rules. The system canpermit client implementation to allow the user to maintain and keepdocument versions and keep making changes as needed to create a documentat a terminal apparatus of the client. The system can further provideclient-user editing for the document created at the terminal apparatusby additional appropriately designated client-users who have approvalauthority and may edit at either the terminal apparatus or on the fly atanother terminal apparatus with the editing function continuing untilthe final edit condition is satisfied.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a documentcreating system can be provided for collaboratively creating a documentby a plurality of client-user personnel using a plurality of terminalapparatuses that are connected via a network, the system includingsetting an editing function for realizing the editing method to thedocument created at the terminal apparatus and permitting the documentcreated at the terminal apparatus to obtain stored data to permitpreviously used material to be part of the currently created document,in accordance with client-user defined rules.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the customdocument creating system of the present disclosure may be realizedwherein the system includes a server and a plurality of client-users aresimultaneously connected to the server to permit each client-user tocreate simultaneously individual, unique and customized documents.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, acomputer-readable program can be provided that is run on a processorimplemented in a document creating system that is connected to aterminal apparatus via a network in a network system and is adapted torealize collaborative creation of a document by one or more client-userpersonnel, the program being executed by the computer to perform amethod comprising setting and implementing client-user defined rules tocreate customizable documents and set conditions for finalizing acreated document for transmittal via printed or electronic means.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a storagemedium can store a program of the present invention for use by multipleclient-users to generate individual custom documents.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a datastructure of a document can be provided and available to eachclient-user that includes a program of the present disclosure, adocument file of a created document or documents, and a program forviewing the document file.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system and methodologyfor permitting client-users to create customized documents internallyand maintain the ability to re-customize the documents. The systemincludes a server to provide and store a document generation screen topermit access to a document template. The system further comprises amulti-zone content layout with node-tabs for collecting information froma client-user, where the information collected is related to one or moreof the zones and may be used in one or more of the documents forcreating customized documents.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the system can permit collectionof information from either one or more personnel and/or files can bereceived in an automated manner. The system can then accept the filesand information to merge the presentation, data and content for documentoutput in any of a number of electronic forms and hard copy. All of theabove may accomplished within a client-user's environment, after initialimplementation, for merging information collected from a client-user,either from personnel or automatically, with the document generationscreen to create a customized document.

The system can further provide the separation of a document presentationand its contents for reuse, variable data publishing and multiplepresentations embedded within the same document for delivery overdifferent channels.

In another aspect, the node-tabs of the multi-zone layout can performlogical actions in response to information collected from theclient-user personnel to create packages of customized documents fortransmission.

In still another aspect, the logical actions can be selected from agroup that includes filling node-tab area and zones, adding informationand/or data, removing information and/or data, presenting furtherinformation queries, where information and/or data may be client-usergenerated and may be comprised of pictorial, graphic, text or otherinput, modifying personnel interaction level, providing storedinformation and/or data to the client-user, providing tools to theclient-user, providing information to the end-user, and presenting theclient-user with multiple transmission opportunities.

It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure that the informationand/or data may be selected from a group comprised of client-userdefined rules and data and/or generic data and further comprised ofdetailed descriptions, questions, and options, and is in a formatselected from a group consisting of text, graphics and other mediavariations now employed or to be developed in the future.

It is a further aspect of the present disclosure that the system caninclude one or more storage media to store a set of information and/ordata collected or otherwise obtained from each client-user, transmittingmeans to direct the information to another node-tab for merging with oneor more other document templates, whereby the efficiency, accuracy, andconsistency of a client-user's creation of custom documents can beenhanced.

In a still further aspect, information can be collected from multipleindividuals within and without a client-user, each of whom has beengranted access to the system, and is merged with the document templateto create a collaborative custom document.

A further aspect of the present disclosure can include security means topermit an administrative end-user to grant access privileges, where theadministrative end-user determines a degree of access for otherend-users.

It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a securemeans for client-users to transmit data, graphics, text and othermaterial in order to permit the creation of custom documents at alocation away from the client-user and to permit secure creation ofcustom documents at that location.

It is yet another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a securemeans for client-users to transmit data, graphics, text and othermaterial in order to permit the creation of custom documents at alocation away from the client-user and transmission of those customdocuments in a secure manner to designated third-parties.

In a yet further aspect, certain embodiments of the present disclosurefurther include a processor to store a set of information collected fromthe end-user as a client-user profile and map the information from theclient-user profile to re-generate new custom documents and for mergingmultiple document templates to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, andconsistency of a client-user's creation of customized documents.

In another aspect, the node-tab/merge engine can be configured to mergethe information collected from the end-user with multiple documenttemplates to create multiple customized documents.

In yet another aspect, the document template can be a multimediadocument template and the customized document is a multimedia document.

In another aspect, certain embodiments of the present disclosure furtherprovide for the creation of on-line response mean through a proxy modulewherein a recipient of a proxy or other material may respond to theproxy by electronic response or hard copy response, which may then beconverted to electronic compilation of responses.

In yet another aspect, certain embodiments of the present disclosurealso provide for a compliance module to permit material to be reviewedat various points in the production cycle to ensure compliance with aclient-user's internal rules and compliance with state, federal andother statutory and regulatory rules. Such compliance rules may,illustratively, fall into categories such as rules by industry orcommunication type, such as marketing, financial, medical, HOA andothers. The rules may also fall into multiple categories, such asmedical billing or legal content verbiage and may have additional rulesfor specific verticals. The rules may also regard content and limitationfactors, qualifications or safe harbor provisions. Furthermore, therules may have internal values such as how often a certain type ofcommunication may be sent before it is modified. The above complianceindications are illustrative only.

Some specific terminology will be used to describe the method, system,and computer program product according to the principles of the presentinvention. These terms are used to describe the concepts that theyrepresent to reduce any ambiguity that may result if the terms are usedwithout such specific definitions. Among the various components andentities that may be a part of the automated, user implemented customdocument creation, management and transmission system of the instantinvention, the following terminology may be advantageously employed:

Customizable Document, also referred to as a Customized Document orcustom document, can be a document that can take many different finalforms depending on options and decisions by a client-user. As anon-limiting example, a custom document could be a part of an adcampaign, mailer, invoice, letter or other document for delivery ineither printed or electronic form, that includes optional client-usercustomized material based on a number of factors as determined by theclient-user and client-user rules, and other factors related to such adocument. A custom document can be created by the use of a plurality ofnode-tabs, where the use of each nod-tab is determined by decisions andchoices made by a client-user. A Customizable Document may also bereferred to as a Template.

Node Tab can refer to a general zone that may be accessed by andprovided to one or more client-users to make a choice on a customdocument. The Node Tab may be further customizable by the use ofclient-user data and represents data specific to a client-user and thespecific use for which the custom document is designed. Non-limitingexamples of such client-user data include name, address, start and enddates, logos, visual elements, stored data and retrieved data. Thiscombination may permit the generation of highly customizable customdocuments.

Option Flow can refer to the general customization path that presentsthe client-user with the options that may be selected and further setsforth a general order of presentation of these options, where thegrouping of these options is in logical activities and steps of theOption Flow. Option Flow may have certain features accessible tomultiple personnel within a client-user environment and maysimultaneously have other features accessible to only personnel withdesignated access.

Rules/instructions may be the client-user determinations that can begenerated by the client-user either for a single project or for multipleprojects. The rules/instructions may allow the system to employ the dataand other material the client-user provides and options the client-userselects when preparing a final custom document.

Test/Transform is the process of taking the rules/instructions, the NodeTab selections, the Option Flow, and the client-user's options and data,testing them and transforming them into a final custom document.

Content Managed Fields can refer to types of Node-tabs and zones thatcan be automatically filled by the system via previously definedRule/Instructions the client-user entered or data previously supplied.For example, if the end-user predefines the content managed fields:Name/Address—Mailing List 1, the system can automatically fill thosevalues in any future document the same client-user begins where thecustom document is going to the same group defined by the MailingList 1. Each client-user can have available content managed fields thatcan be saved separately for each client-user. Data for a group ofpersonnel for a client-user may also be stored and applied as needed ina collaborative context.

A client-user can refer to an entity, such as a firm, company,partnership, sole-proprietorship, or the like, whose inside and outsidepersonnel and designated third-party consultants/independent contractorsetc. who are granted access to the system generate and create a customdocument which, upon final approval, becomes a Final Document which maybe transmitted in accordance with the requirements and specifications ofthe client-user. The system and methodology permit a client-user togenerate and direct the distribution of custom documents where theclient-user controls and implements the fields, options, location, andother metrics to create the final form of a document, including print,electronic, SMS/text and multimedia documents.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of a configuration of acustomized document creation system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. client-user 1, who for purposes of this exampleis a person with authority to generate and access a set ofrules/instructions 20, creates the rules/instructions 20 for thegeneration of one or more custom documents. The rules/instructions 20may be specific for a set of custom documents or may be generic fordifferent types of custom documents. The rules/instructions 20 may alsobe dynamic in that they may be altered either before initiating thegeneration of a custom document or may be altered on the fly during thecreation of a custom document and applied on the fly to that customdocument.

The client-user 1 may access the system via the internet through aclient-user interface 15 which is specific to the client-user, or mayaccess the system by logging on to the system provider's website (notshown) and gaining access through a secure entry sign-in. Multipleclient-users (1-n) may access the system simultaneously and createindividual custom documents at the same time.

Once the client-user 1 has accessed the system, the client-user 1 willstore the rules/instructions 20 on a server 25 for subsequent use. Itwill be appreciated that the individual who creates therules/instructions does not have to be the individual or individuals whosubsequently access the system to generate the custom document. Tocommence in the creation of a custom document, the client-user 1accesses the system and any rules/instructions 20 stored therein onserver 25 and then accesses the Customizable Document processor 30 toobtain one or more Templates 30A found therein.

Each Template 30A can be obtained via a pull-down listing to permit theclient-user 1 to select from a variety of different document layouts andcommunication objectives. For example, an invoice Template (not shown)can have different Node-tabs from a letter Template (not shown), whichcan be different from an ad campaign Template (not shown).

The Template 30A can include at least one Node-tab that may permit theclient-user 1 to insert data, information, graphics or other material(collectively “data”) into a specific zone on the Template 30A. The datamay be a function of previously supplied material or may be importedinto the zone on the fly at the time of the creation of the customdocument. It can also be generated by the rules/instructions or takenfrom one or more previously generated custom documents, at thediscretion and direction of the client-user 1. Certain of the zones maybe designated as “Text” while other may be designated as “Graphics” inaccordance with criteria set by the client-user1 or by the systemprovider and/or by the rules/instructions. Alternatively, the zones maybe customizable so as to permit the client-user1 to vary the location ofthe zones to further customize the document.

client-user1 may also view existing custom documents to permit theiralteration to create a new custom document in substantially the samemanner as is set forth above. Once the client-user1 has inserted datainto the zones that the client-user1 seeks to fill, the client-user1 canobtain any additional data and information that the rules/instructionsrequire be inserted into the custom document and can apply theadditional data via processor 35 to the Template 30A. In the event thatmultiple custom documents are to be generated as part of a package, thedata, additional data and Rules/Instruction information may be appliedto each of the custom documents simultaneously by the processor 35.

The processor 35 may employ a transform and merge engine 38 to aggregateall of the above information and inputs from the client-user1 andthereafter transmits the custom documents to a test server 40. At thetest server 40, the custom documents are reviewed and client-user 1personnel with administrative/approval authority must sign off on eachcustom document before it is permitted to be transmitted from the testserver 40 for ultimate distribution. In the event that the client-user1determines that a custom document should not be transmitted from thetest server 40, the custom document may be stored at a client-user1specific drive or partitioned storage device 140 for subsequent access(see FIG. 2).

After the creation and approval of each client-user1 custom document,the various custom documents can be aggregated to create one or morepackages 45 which may be stored in device 140 for ultimate transmittal.The creation of packages 45 can be the final step in creating a mailing,via traditional or electronic means, to the ultimate recipient that theclient-user1 is seeking to communicate with. To create the packages 45,the client-user accesses the partitioned storage device 140 anddesignates those custom documents that will be placed into a packagelibrary 48. Those custom documents can be accessed to form multipagepackages 45 by designating the custom document that will go into eachpackage 45.

The client-user1 can designate a package 45 name to permit subsequentidentification of the specific package 45 and may advantageously employa package 45 code to link the input data and custom documents to theoutput data which will ultimately be the package 45. Commencement andtermination dates, mailing envelope designations and other properties ofthe package may be specified and saved to create the parameters andproperties of the package 45.

Once all of the properties are designated and saved, the client-user1may start to designate those custom documents that will form part of thespecific package 45. A specific custom document can be selected from thepackage library 48 and associated with the package 45. Once all thecustom documents are selected for a specific package 45, theclient-user1 may designate a transmission mode 50 a and merge the customdocuments into a package 45 via a merge and transmit engine 50. If thedesignated transmission 50 a is by an actual, physical mailing of thepackage 45, then the package 45 may be transmitted to a print functionlocation 51 (See also FIG. 5, production shop 551) where the package maybe printed, addresses may be associated with the package 45, and thepackage 45 may be transmitted via the specific, physical mailing systemdesignated.

In the event that the transmission mode 50 a is electronic, then thepackage 45 can be electronically assembled, compressed as needed andformed into an attachment 52 in a recipient non-alterable format, to anelectronic address (not shown) for transmittal. Similarly, certainpackages 45 may be designed to be transmitted in electronic format suchas an SMS/Text message 53 where the content of the package 45 may bemore limited, in accordance with SMS protocol.

As is generally depicted in the flow diagram of FIG. 1, the completedpackage 45 can be exported to a transmission processor 55 that iscontrolled to cause each package 45 to be transmitted (eg. Postal 56,electronic 57, SMS 58, other transmittal mode 59) in accordance with thetransmission instructions. The transmission processor 55 may alsoadvantageously transmit the package 45 to a storage device 60 (which maybe a part of or associated with the package library 48) where thepackage 45 may be stored for further customization or forre-customization to create one or more revised custom documents andsubsequent packages 45. The transmission processor 55 may transmit thepackage 45 to the storage device 60 in alterable form so that thevarious custom documents in each package 45 may be subsequently altered.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in block form, a diagrammatic representation of anexample of a generalized configuration of a number of customizeddocument creation system interface modules in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. A client-user1 may access thesystem through a client-user1 interface 15 (also referred to as UI 15)that is specific to the client-user1 or may access the system through aWeb-portal 16 at the supplier's Web site to which the client-user 1 haspassword protected access.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure allow the client-user1 todesignate multiple access privilege levels to personnel within theclient-user 1. Thus, by way of example, the client-user 1 may designatean administrative user 18 (who may or may not be part of the package 45design group) to grant access rights and privileges to other personnel,both within and without the client-user 1. The administrative user 18may designate certain personnel to provide text while others providegraphics and may permit the personnel to communicate with one another tointeract to generate the custom document and package 45. One mode forpermitting the interaction is to limit the area that each person canaccess on any given template 31, while another is to create a series ofRule/Instructions that define what area or portion of each template 31may be accessed by each person.

As is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, multiple client-users 1 throughn (hereinafter also referred to as “client 1-n”) may access the systemat the same time to generate custom documents. Each client-user1-n mayaccess the system via a UT 15 or a secure entry Web portal. Eachclient-user1-n may have established a set of individualrules/instructions which are advantageously stored in a Rules engine100. As is illustratively shown in FIG. 3, if the client-user 1-n isworking on an existing custom document, the client-user1-n may bepresented with an interface that may include a menu 300 that isintegrated with the Rules engine 100 and provides, by way of example,access to a document library 302. Alternatively, if the client-user1-nis starting a new custom document, client-user1-n may be presented withan interface (not shown) which may include a menu that is integratedwith the Templates 30A and provides zones that may be accessed andintegrated with text, graphics and other material, in accordance withthe dictates of the client-user1-n. While the client rules/instructionscan define the specific inputs and other aspect of the workflow process,the system can also provide the client with automated rejections in theevent that the rules/instructions are inherently non-compliant with thesubmitted data record. Thus, for example, if the field <StatementBalance>, which inherently should have a debit value (money owed),instead reflects a credit balance, the system can suppress the datarecord and prevent the data record from being mailed. Other automatedRules/Instruction rejections form a part of the system and the above isonly intended to be an example of the automated manner in which thesystem adapts, edits and monitors the work as a function of theRules/Instruction and the ultimate material output to ensure accuracy.

By way of illustration, and not as a limitation, each client-user1-n mayaccess server 101 which may be partitioned, either by use of separatestorage systems or by software with appropriate firewalls, into multiplestorage areas 102, 104 and 106 (the use of three areas is not alimitation and additional areas may be partitioned, depending on thenumber of client-users 1-n). Each client-user1-n may commence orcontinue work on one or more custom documents by accessing a Template30A from a template engine 110. Multiple components or zones of eachTemplate 30A may be visible to the client-user1-n.

As an example, there may be a logo zone 304 into which a client-user1-nmay insert a specific letterhead, logo, address or other identifyingmaterial which may either be imported by the client-user1-n, may bestored on the system or may be a part of a previously created customdocument found in the storage device 60. The zone may be limited to textor to graphics, in accordance with one or more rules/instructions or maybe available for either or for some other form of media insert.

As each zone is either filled or specifically left blank, theRules/Instruction may be applied to actually insert the text, graphic orother material to the Template 30A to build the custom document.Furthermore, node-tabs may be employed to create and file zones withinzones. Thus, for example, a zone 306 may be advantageously establishedthat bridges a larger zone 310 while simultaneously extending outside ofzone 310 into the body of the Template 30A. A further variant would beto provide a zone 308 that is fully within larger zone 310. The zonevariations are not limited and may be adapted or created by eachclient-user1-n, the entity providing the system or others withadministrative access to the system.

A further element of the present disclosure is that the work-flow mayeither be implemented in an ordered or non-ordered manner such that, ifa client-user1-n determines that a certain part of a custom documentneeds to be generated first in order to lay out the subsequent portions,the client-user1-n may implement an ordered access in which onepersonnel member will be provided sole access. Once that zone isestablished and finalized, a personnel member can be provided access toa subsequent zone. The personnel members may or may not be the same,depending on the designation by the client-user1-n. Alternatively, theclient-user1-n may permit multiple personnel to access the customdocument simultaneously and in any order. Various other access modes maybe implements to provide variable workflow where ordered and non-orderedrules/instructions may be employed to permit sections of the customdocument to be accessed at any time during the creation process, whileother zones may not be capable of being accessed until one or moreprevious steps or actions are undertaken by some set of personnel whoare involved in a prior step or determination.

In order to permit multiple personnel from multiple client-users 1-n toaccess and employ the system simultaneously, the custom documentwork-flow may permit personnel to instruct a node-tab engine 120 tocontribute, edit, fill in or otherwise modify a Template 30A or multipleTemplates 30A. Thus, for example, if multiple custom documents are to begenerated, each one of which with a header or logo at the same location,the Rules/Instruction engine 100 may instruct the node-tab engine thatthe header or logo be inserted in the same zone on each custom document,thus minimizing error and increasing efficiency in the process.

Different personnel at a client-user1-n may be shown different templates30, different zones within a given template 30 or may only be shown azone or template 30 after it has been shown to or worked on by otherpersonnel, based on their specific and assigned roles. For example,personnel with text access rights may not be shown graphic zones and allpersonnel, other than executive level, may be denied access toaccounting zones that may contain confidential information.

The design elements for each client-user1-n may employ one or more ofthe hierarchical matrix functions and interfaces within the system. Byway of example, the hierarchical matrix may have a custom documentworkflow from a document to a package to an email, with custom tablesfor insertion at various zones and ultimate campaign creation throughaggregation of custom documents for distribution over a period of time.The custom document workflow is further augmented by a custom data tablemodule that permits dynamic control of numerous content and formattingelements that impact the overall custom document and interface with theclient's rules/instructions. The custom data table module may havesearch capabilities to permit a client to search for and obtain piecesof content for use or may permit the client to display and pull content.Without limiting the various functionalities that may be part of thecustom data table, some of the functions that are found therein thatbenefit the client and contribute to the ease of customizing ofdocuments are dynamic control of images in an Image Library module,dynamic control of content in the content module and dynamic use andmodification, if desired, of client rules/instructions that permit theautomated integration of the contents, images and other elements thatare displayed and the rules/instructions that govern theirinterrelationship and overall impact.

Whereas one client-user1-n may want to have a custom document processedand produced for distribution once, another client-user1-n may also wantto establish multiple temporal distribution of one or more customdocuments. Accordingly, a client-user1-n may set up repetitiveprocessing such that the same custom document or package is processed ona regular basis (eg. once a month) to create a cycle and then a seriesof cycles may be executed to create a campaign.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a campaign cycle editor may beemployed to permit a client-user1-n to reuse custom documents, combineand recombine them, edit them prior to distribution determine timeframes for distribution and otherwise define the properties of anycampaign that a client-user1-n wants to set up.

Once the personnel at a particular client-user1-n complete theirrequired tasks and employ the node-tab engine 120 to fill in therequisite zones to generate their respective custom documents 122, 124and 126, those custom documents 122, 124 and 126 can be transmitted totest engine 130 where each can be further examined and reviewed byadministrative level personnel at each respective client-user1-n. Thetest engine 130 may simultaneously be evaluating and aggregatingmultiple documents for each client-user1-n as well as assemblingpackages for each client-user1-n to ultimate distribution.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the test engine 130 may beadvantageously employed as a web application (for example, a web portalrunning on a web page of the world wide web) that the informationtechnology group at the system provider may implement at eachclient-user1-n to give each access to their various jobs, packages andTemplates 30A that the client-user1-n may wish to use for processing.After implementation, each client-user1-n can have the capability ofmaintaining the system access, jobs, packages, and templates 30 topermit them to make changes as needed and to preview each customdocument on the fly. This may permit each client-user1-n to more rapidlyfinalize a custom document and elevate it within the client-user1-n tothe appropriate administrative level to obtain approval fordistribution.

Following approval, the custom documents 142, 144 and 146 may betransmitted to a storage server 140 for aggregation into packages, fordistribution or to be held for further content management. In a furtherelement of the system, the content of each custom document may bemanaged via a content management processor 150. Each custom document maybe accessed and searched by either a keyword or name. To employ akeyword, personnel with appropriate access rights may enter a word orphrase and search one or more of the custom documents to locate thecontent described. Alternatively, personnel may enter a NAME that willsearch for any specific designated NAME that has been given to thecontent (eg. HISTORY) and locate that NAME where it is associated witheach custom document.

Once the content has been located, the content management processor 150of the system can permit appropriately designated personnel to performone or more of the following content management functions: edit thecontent, set up new content, alter text or graphics, alter theproperties of tie content and search the custom documents to determinehow the content edit impacts the remainder of the custom document. Theabove is not intended to be an exhaustive or a self-limiting list of thecontent management functions and those skilled in the art will be ableto amplify and modify the above.

As is seen illustratively in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the methods ofdistribution may be by physical mail 142 a, attachment to an electronicmail 144 a, or via SMS/Text protocol 146 a as well as any other desiredmeans. In the event that the transmission means is by physical mail 142a, the custom document or the package 45 may be sent to a printproduction shop 550 where the physical elements of the package 45 areprinted and the package 45 is assembled and sent to a master mailmanager 555 for ultimate posting. If the transmission means iselectronic, the package 45 may be sent to a master email transmissionprocessor 560 by a workflow manager 565. The email transmissionprocessor 560 may be internal to the client-user1-n or may be done bythe system provider directly or through an outside volume email vendor570.

The email transmission processor 560 may also be employed in conjunctionwith a safe e-mail Opt-In module, to permit the transmission of ane-mail communication by a client-user 1-n to a customer rather thansending the material in printed form. The customer can be notified ofthe ability to receive the material by e-mail and is permitted to Opt-invia a secure communication option. The client 1-n may select any type ofunique identification value from an input file in order to permit thesecure communication. By way of example only, the client 1-n may employboth the customer's e-mail address and account or member number as atype of unique identification value. The client 1-n has the furtheroption of providing an Opt-in customer with customizable reports andother material and having it delivered electronically, as well as beingable to track when it was delivered and when it was opened and read bythe Customer.

In yet another aspect, the system can provide the capability ofpermitting clients 1-n who have financial information or who need tocommunicate financial data to a customer to do so in a secureenvironment. The client 1-n may inform the customer of the need toprovide confidential information and request that the customer log intoa secure site using any one of a number of client 1-n designatedauthentication field values which can be part of the client 1-n datainput file. An example of such an authentication field/value would by acustomer's email and Personal Identification Number (“PIN”). Once thecustomer has complied, they can be directed to a secure mail servermodule which can give the customer the information and may be capable oftransmitting payment receipt data, notification of withdrawal to payaccount, and other financial information. The secure mail server modulemay further provide the client 1-n with a real-time and dynamic historyof a customer's payment history and other related information to permitfollow up communications and confirmations.

Referring again to FIG. 4, there is shown an illustrative system, inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, for thecompilation of packages for transmittal, and as an example of amulti-document generation system by a customized document creationsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theclient-user1 may access a document selection processor 450 that isfunctionally associated with a document storage server 460. Theclient-user1 can select one or more documents from the document storageserver 460, adapt, modify, or otherwise customize them (or not as theclient-user1 determines) through a content management processor 470.

The content management processor 470 may have operational aspects thatpermit content management processor 470 to search a document library 471and select a document. The content management processor 470 may havevarious' screens to permit the client-user1 to manipulate, edit andcustomize the selected document. Illustrative screens may include acontent property screen 472, a content editor screen 473, a field searchscreen 474, a content impact screen 475, a production history screen 476and a content FAQ screen 477. Other screens may be created by the systemsupplier, either independently or in response to a request by aclient-user 1.

Once the client-user1 has completed generation of the custom document orDocuments, they can be transmitted to a data management server 480 whereeach of the custom documents is reviewed and approved by administrativepersonnel with appropriate authority. A production file 485 containingthe completed set of one or more custom documents can be uploaded andtransmitted to a production and transmission server 490.

While the present disclosure has generally be described in relation tothe creation of one or more custom documents, certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure have similar applicability to the creation ofdocument compilations and multipage documents such as reports. Referringto FIG. 4, there is illustratively depicted an aspect of the presentdisclosure by which the client-user1-n may elect to generate a report495A composed of multiple documents or based upon other data and inputs.In such instances, the client-user1-n may access the document selectionprocessor 450 and a report engine 495 to permit the report 495A to becreated either from data on documents, new data imported for the report495A or other criteria established by the client-user 1-n. The report495A may be established with named parameters to populate the fields andthose parameters may either be included in the report 495A or left out,with just the resulting data being included.

The reports 495A may be printed or emailed whenever there are recordsand data that meet the criteria set up in Rules/Instruction engine 20.Thus, illustratively, the report 495A may be generated and transmittedwhenever there is an accounts receivable update received, or it can bescheduled to go out at the end of each week. Alternatively, it may bescheduled as a one-time report to go out on a given date. The report495A properties and data may be verified prior to transmittal and may bealtered on the fly to eliminate old data and insert new data. Once thereport 495A is approved, it may be transmitted to recipients 496 eitherin physical or electronic format with copies going back toclient-user 1. One example of a report 495A that may have old dataremoved and new data inserted, but that may also have substantial partsuntouched is a proxy statement with associated voting requests.Additionally, the Rules/Instruction engine 20 may also include aninstruction to transmit a reminder e-mail to the proxy recipient eitherbecause it has been determined that a proxy has not been received, or asgeneral reminder, depending on the client's Rule/Instruction. Additionalfunctionality may further include to automated preparation of anelection summary report and other summary analyses, depending on thenature of the proxy. This functionality may also be advantageouslyemployed in connection with documents other than proxies where a clientdetermines that they need reminders sent out or that they need toautomatically generated interim and final summaries of the response tothe mailing.

Referring further to FIG. 5, there is illustratively depicted an accesspoint/distribution point flowchart illustrating a custom documentmethodology and system for generation, finalization, and transmittal ofcustomized documents by the system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Each client-user1-n may be allowed direct accessto the system through its own UI 15 to its portal 500 or may access thesystem through the system provider's website 505. Each client-user1-nmay also access or provide its personnel access to and interface withthe system's production processors 510 and test processors 515 which areused for processing all jobs and Templates 30A.

Each client-user1-n may also preview all custom documents andalterations or changes to custom documents on the fly through theproduction processor 510 and test processor 515. Each of theclient-users 1-n access and view points can permit e-mail interactionbetween internal personnel at each client-user1-n and the system so thatthe personnel, depending on access privileges allotted to each of them,can either view, change, manipulate and or finally approve fortransmittal the final custom document or package 45 without having to goto the system provider's facility.

Each client-user1-n can be provided access to a presentment engine 520through secure, client-user1-n code protected transmission means 525which also permit additional access to an application programminginterface (“API”) engine 530 and a file transfer protocol (“FTP”) engine535. The File Transfer Protocol is a standard network protocol used totransfer computer files from one host to another host over a TCP-basednetwork, such as the Internet.

The API engine 530 can specify how the software components shouldinteract with each other. In addition to accessing databases or computerhardware, such as hard disk drives or video cards, the API engine 530can be used to ease the work of programming graphical user interfacecomponents. The API engine 530 can come in the form of a library thatincludes specifications for routines, data structures, object classes,and variables or, notably for SOAP and REST services, the API engine 530comes as just a specification of remote calls exposed to the API engine530 client-users 1-n.

The FTP engine 535 may be built on a client-server architecture and useseparate control and data connections between the client-user1-n and theserver. FTP client-users 1-n may authenticate themselves using aclear-text sign-in protocol, normally in the form of a username andpassword, but can connect anonymously if the server is configured toallow it. For secure transmission that protects the username andpassword, and encrypts the content, the FTP engine 535 may be securedwith SSL/TLS (FTPS). SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) may sometimesalso used instead, but is technologically different.

Referring further to FIG. 5, it can be appreciated that the accesspoints and related engines require control and interaction and areviewed by an SQL server 540 that serves as the principal relationaldatabase management system. Structured Query Language (“SQL”) is aspecial-purpose programming language designed for managing data held ina relational database management system (RDBMS). SQL includes a datadefinition language and a data manipulation language. The scope of SQLincludes data insert, query, update and delete, schema creation andmodification, and data access control. Although SQL is often describedas, and to a great extent is, a declarative language it also includesprocedural elements.

SQL server 540 may advantageously use a common set of tools to deployand manage databases both on-premises, at the system provider and in thecloud, which may make it easier for client-user1-n to take advantage ofall three. The SQL server 540 may access and manage the systemprovider's IT engine 550, which may include one or more back-up servers551, tape drives 552, file servers 553 and a Dialogue/HP EX STREAMengine 554 through which the system provider's IT department caninteract with the client-user1-n and the custom documents.

Moreover, the SQL server 540 may also access and manage the print streamengine 560 and workflow engine 570 through data insert, query, updateand delete, schema creation and modification, and data access control,thereby ensuring that the information from the production engine 510 andtest engine 515 are properly integrated, applied and transmitted. As apart of the access and control, the Dialogue/HP EX STREAM engine 554may, in conjunction with the workflow engine 570, specify and access aPS/PDF file server 575 to direct a print function 575A.

As a further aspect of an element and functionality of the presentdisclosure, the system, through its Review Output module, can permiteach client to review a pdf of the live record output and all of therecords that form part of a prospective mailing package before it issent to the production department. The Review Output module may allowfor a review of all records before they complete processing and reachthe production department. A client can review each file that is thenpending and “Ready for Review” and can select that file or files thatare representative of the mailing package. If a file is not yet readyfor review, the Review Output module can list that file as “Importing”or by some other designation that indicate it is still being processedprior to review. Use of the Review Output module permits a client tocheck each inventory item associated with a file and permits the clientto reject any record or other data entry that they ultimately do notwant to make part of the final file processing.

Upon receipt of final, confirmed authorization from appropriatepersonnel at the client-user1-n that a custom document is to betransmitted and the mode of transmission is designated, SQL server 540may direct either the workflow engine 570 or a mail manager engine 580to transmit the custom document. The transmittal may be either byphysical deliver, email attachment, SMS/Text or other client-user1-ndesignated transmittal modes.

Without seeking to limit scope of the invention, other aspects andfunctionality may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5and the above specification wherein the following interactions andapplications may be employed to further enhance the ability ofclient-user 1-n to create, finalize, have published (in electronic,physical, or other format) and transmit data and custom documents.

Client-user1-n and/or their customers may access web applications (Webapps). Web applications can act as clients to SQL server 540 behind afirewall. Website information may be served only via SSL-encryptedchannel unless specifically requested by a client-user1-n.

Prod/Test can be the web application or environment that the ITdepartment uses to implement all clients with the jobs and templatesthat will be used for processing. After implementation, most clientstake over maintenance and keep making changes as needed. Changes can bepreviewed on the fly and go through an elevation process that requiresapproval from the appropriately designated users.

API web services can be provided to a client-user1-n that wants tointerface their code with the system's functionality such as recall andgenerate PDF information from archived data.

API Push web services can be provided to clients that want to interfacetheir code with the system's functionality to submit one-off/push datathat will be used for creating PDF output and become available foraccessing via FTP, Download or Email.

Custom data file formats may be supported for client-user1-n datasubmitted into/out from the system provider. client-user1-n may have theoption to manually submit files on irregular schedules or to code filetransmission to happen on a scheduled basis.

Unlike the API web services, some Client-user1-n may want to integratetheir customer website's code to only show an embedded web page that thesystem provide hosts for searching, listing and accessing PDF files ofall items mailed or emailed to the client-user1-n customers. This set ofweb pages may be provided over an SSL-encrypted channel that accepts theappropriate parameters to ensure the client-user1-n requested data isdisplayed and ready to be accessed by their customers.

Workflow Manager can guide the file received from the client-user1-nthrough the whole process (workflow) until the PS (PostScript), AFP orPDF output is created. Files can be picked up from FTP, parsed into theSQL server 540 database, inserted into the appropriate tables, based oncustom client-defined rules/instructions, the workflow then goes on tovalidate mail address with the CAS SNCOA (national change of address)service with the mail manager engine 580 for transmittal. Changedaddresses can be updated in the database, invalid addresses can berejected into a file to be sent to the client-user1-n or ignored (basedon custom rules/instructions). Splits based on presort sequence andmailing rules/instructions may be created to maximize the client-user1-nsavings on postage. As a further part of the Workflow Manager, thesystem can permit validation of both the delivery and the delivery pointwithin the workflow process. Thus, when an email communication isbounced back or it otherwise not deliverable or is not read within aclient defined time/data range, the system can determine thenon-delivery and can generate a “hard copy” of the communication withattachments. That “hard copy” can be deemed a package and can be mailedto ensure that they communication is ultimately delivered to thecustomer. The email reports section of the Workflow Manager can alsoprovide a Query Builder module that permits a client to determine if anemail is “Successful” in that it has been delivered. The WorkflowManager can also provide validation that the delivery point is correctand that the various elements of the delivery point coordinate with oneanother. Thus, by way of example, the Delivery Point Validation may notethat the city of destination is New York, but that the zip code is foran area in New Jersey. Other forms of Delivery Point Validation arewithin the scope of the present disclosure to further ensure theaccuracy and deliverability of each communication, such as automaticdetection of domains that do not exist, an incorrect domain extension orother types of transmission errors or rejections.

Dialogue/HP Exsteam services may be invoked to create the PS/PDF filesthat will be sent to the system provider's production floor. In thecases where the workflow requires emailing instead of mailing, theworkflow may be instructed to avoid processing the extra steps thatwould be required for mailing. Email addresses are validated and sentthrough a volume email vendor by using their web services. Results fromthe email submission action are reflected back into the database.

PS/PDF/AFP files may be directed the workflow engine 570 to be printedinto the corresponding paper, preprinted materials are inserted, folded,package is inserted into envelope and mailed out.

SQL server 540 databases may contain historical data that will beretained for the duration of the archival/retention period (customizedby client-user1-n request). This data can be used to regenerate anymailed item within the retention period. Review, re-prints are availablefrom within the system to convert into PDF for printing on a one-offbasis.

Dialogue/HP Exstream engine 554 may be employed to transform data from adatabase into PostScript, AFP and PDF files. The Dialogue/HP Exstreamengine 554 allows embedding PS/AFP control code for indicating highvolume printers to execute tray selection with different media,inserting pre-printed documents, duplex and simple printing within thesame job and other functionality available in high volume printers andinserters. Generally, the system provider's IT group programs and setsup the Templates 30A corresponding to the scope of the initialimplementation for each client.

A PrintStream engine 590 may be used to manage the business process tomanage all aspects of a print and letter shop, including mailing costs.In one embodiment, information may be sent to the PrintStream engine 590in such a manner as to avoid multiple repetitive data entry points andminimize data entry errors and costs.

The backup engine 551 can be used to run backups of all servers. Backupscan be sent to a secure facility.

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture of a system according to certainembodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, there can bemultiple clients, Client A, Client B, etc. These clients can be externalregistered clients associated with client-users. The client-users can beusers with, for example, login credentials, who are associated with atleast one corresponding claim. There can also be internal registeredadministrative (admin) agents with support of production. Both kinds ofusers can access a secure SaaS platform. The platform can be provided toreceive client data delivery. The platform can also have an establishedcustom program setup that can help to support client communications.Furthermore, the platform can provide client-driven communicationsmanagement driven off of associated client-data delivery.

The platform may provide a transmission mode (whether transmittingdigitally or in print, for example), as well as data merge and archivefeatures. For example, the platform can be connected to a digitalgateway and a production facility gateway. The latter can provide accessto a production facility to manage external modes. The platform can alsoprovide client-driven self-service access to report, access archives,and manage communications and delivery mode reporting.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mini-engine according to certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure. A mini-engine, as illustrated may sequentiallyprocess more than one rule (two rules are shown, but many more than tworules can be used). For each rule, there may be an action taken if thecondition is false, and an action taken if the rule is true. In thisexample, for both rule 1 and rule 2, no further action on that rule istaken if the condition is false. If the condition is true, however, ineach case there can be a data retrieval. Date information can be oneexample of data retrieval, but other information include graphics,video, or audio can be the retrieved data. The result can be a contentcustom table corresponding to each rule. This can be the same as thecustom data table discussed above. Moreover, this mini-engine may be oneof the engines described with reference to the system workflow andengines design in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates an architecture of a content delivery systemaccording to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 8, there can be several layers of the architecture. At a standarddesign layer there can be master workflows. These may be relativelygeneric workflows that could be applicable to many different clients. Ina second layer, there can be client-specific program workflows. Theseworkflows may be customized to a particular client. This customizationmay take place automatically by presenting a series of queries, or oneor more forms to a client-user. Alternatively, this customization may beperformed manually by staff of the company providing the software as aservice, perhaps after interviewing the client or a client-user thereof.

In order to accomplish the workflow steps, a variety of engines may beprovided. These engines may be implemented in hardware, software runningon hardware, or any combination thereof. The data import parser mayreceive data from the client, for example from a client-user, andextract data to be included in a communication. The parser may be dataagnostic based on single- or multi-data file import.

The content rules data dynamic code (illustrated, by way of example, inFIG. 7) may provide for the inclusion of the data, where appropriate,into a table. The data rejection reject rules may handle cases where a“false” result is reached in FIG. 7, or when data otherwise must berejected. The data rejection reject rules may be created to identify andreject records based on client-defined requirements. These datarejection rules may be run on data provided by the client (for example,the client-user) and they may also be run on the data created by thecontent rules dynamic code engine.

The content rules data dynamic code can tie communications to thetemplates. The dynamic code can create content within zones or locationsof the templates. This content may be content from the client or thedynamically generated content generated by the engine. Rules can beassigned to content and zones. During workflow, a content rules enginecan look for true conditions in order to manage content, as illustratedin FIG. 7. Any arbitrary number of rules can be created and associatedwith a given client-specific program. Rules can also have one or anyarbitrarily large number of conditions. Rules ending with no trueconditions can be returned to a default condition. The default conditionmay have no data, for example blank, or have some other data: forexample, “TBD” if a date has not been identified and the rule seeks datedata.

The output format splits may format the data in the table into apresentation. These splits may split the tabled data differently intovarious communications. For example, a campaign or package may includevarious types of communication: for print communication audio and videodata may be unhelpful, for email campaigns linked or embedded contentmay be needed, whereas for a social media platform communicationexcessive textual content may be unnecessary. The review output testengine may then provide the resulting communication or communications tothe client, for example, to a client-user with approval rights, forapproval, before client custom communication delivery distributionoccurs. In certain embodiments, the first time the client-user has seenthe communication is when the review output test engine provides it.Thus, for example, this may not simply be a print-preview of a documentalready seen by the client-user. Instead, this may be a review a newcommunication that was generated by the output format splits engine oranother engine or engines based on the data provided by the client. Thereview output test engine may allow user control over files and recordsprocessed to validate or test output prior to delivery/distribution. Forexample, the system may generate a plurality of different types ofcommunications based on a single client-user data file, and the reviewoutput test engine may provide each such communication to a client-userof the client for review and approval.

The data fields in the templates of certain embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be controlled or otherwise driven by the use of contentrules based on multi-factor conditions. These rules may permit forrevised rules to be applied to data to create new data fields that driveadditional content creation based on conditions. Thus, the engines maynot be limited solely to data provided by the client-user, but maygenerate additional data based on the rules and the imported data.

An intelligent merge process can be used to dynamically adjustcommunication content based on customized rules that create intelligentdecisions to inject contextual data. Thus, data from the client or anyclient-user thereof, can be merged with other data, which can bereferred to as contextual data. Contextual data may be gleaned from alibrary of such data, from other data from the client or client-user onthis or another occasion, or the like. For example, the content rulesdynamic code engine can create new data fields, images, or complexcontent based on dynamic rules driven by client-specific requirements.

Each of the illustrated engines can be customized to client-specificrules based on communication and delivery requirements.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a client-userimplemented document and communication creation system for generating acommunication using a remote terminal remote from the system, caninclude at least one memory including computer program instructions andat least one processor that may be accessed remotely by the terminal.The at least one memory and the computer program instructions can beconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to store at least one client-user generated rule/instruction. Theat least one memory and the computer program instructions can also beconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to provide at least one template wherein the template has adata-insertable zone therein. The at least one memory and the computerprogram instructions can further be configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the system at least to receive client-user specifieddata insertion instructions comprising client-user specified data fromthe remote terminal to the processor. The at least one memory and thecomputer program instructions can additionally be configured to, withthe at least one processor, cause the system at least to process thetransmitted client-user specified data insertion instructions inaccordance with one or more client-user generated rule/instruction ofthe at least one client-user generated rule/instruction. The at leastone memory and the computer program instructions can also be configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the system at least to insertthe received client-user specified data into the zone, in accordancewith at least one client-user generated rule/instruction. The at leastone memory and the computer program instructions can further beconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to process a final approval of the communication containing theclient-user specified data. The at least one memory and the computerprogram instructions can additionally be configured to, with the atleast one processor, cause the system at least to process a transmissionmode specification. The at least one memory and the computer programinstructions can also be configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the system at least to transmit the finally approved communicationin accordance with the transmission mode specification.

In some embodiments, the specified data comprises text.

In some embodiments, the specified data comprises graphic materials.

In some embodiments, the specified data comprises visual material.

In some embodiments, the processing the transmitted client-userspecified data insertion instructions comprises generating data based onthe one or more client-user generated rule/instruction.

In some embodiments, the system can further include template storage.The template storage may together with or separate from the memorystoring the computer program instructions.

In some embodiments, the system can further include communicationstorage. The communication storage may together with or separate fromthe memory storing the computer program instructions.

In some embodiments, the finally approved communication can include aproxy and the at least one memory and the computer program instructionscan be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the systemat least to receive an on-line line response from a recipient of a proxyor other material by electronic response or hard copy response convertedto electronic format.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer programinstructions can be configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the system at least to present material for review at a pluralityof points in the production cycle to ensure compliance with at least oneof a client-user's internal rules or compliance with state, federal, orother statutory or regulatory rules.

In some embodiments, the client-user specified data insertioninstructions obtain the data from a communication in the communicationstorage.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer programinstructions can be configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the system at least to present compliance with the client-userspecified data instructions in real time.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer programinstructions can be configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the system at least to perform communication aggregation.

In some embodiments, multiple communications can be aggregated andtransmitted as a single communication.

In some embodiments, the transmission mode can be one or more of thefollowing: physical delivery; electronic delivery; electronic mailattachment delivery; or SMS/text delivery.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method forgenerating a client-user created and implemented document andcommunication using a terminal that is interconnected remotely to thesystem can include storing at least one client-user generatedrule/instruction. The method can also include providing at least onetemplate. The template can have a data-insertable zone therein. Themethod can further include receiving client-user specified datainsertion instructions that include client-user specified data from theremote terminal to the processor. The client-user specified data can beincluded directly or referentially, such as by a link or otherdirections to data stored on a server. The method can additionallyinclude processing the transmitted client-user specified data insertioninstructions in accordance with one or more client-user generatedrule/instruction of the at least one client-user generatedrule/instruction. The method can also include inserting the receivedclient-user specified data into the zone, in accordance with at leastone client-user generated rule/instruction. The method can furtherinclude processing a final approval of the communication containing theclient-user specified data. The method can additionally includeprocessing a transmission mode specification. The method can alsoinclude transmitting the finally approved communication in accordancewith the transmission mode specification.

In some embodiments, the processing the transmitted client-userspecified data insertion instructions can include generating data basedon the one or more client-user generated rule/instruction.

In some embodiments, the finally approved communication can include aproxy and the method can further include receiving an on-line lineresponse from a recipient of a proxy or other material by electronicresponse or hard copy response converted to electronic format.

In some embodiments, the method can further include presenting data forreview at a plurality of points in the production cycle to ensurecompliance with at least one of a client-user's internal rules orcompliance with state, federal and other statutory or regulatory rules.

In some embodiments, the processing the transmitted client-userspecified data insertion instructions comprises generating data based onthe one or more client-user generated rule/instruction.

In some embodiments, the method can further include comprisingaggregating a plurality of communications.

In some embodiments, the method can further include aggregating andtransmitting multiple communications as a single communication.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, byapplying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/oradapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with theaid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation ofspecified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of thesefunctional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for theconvenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined solong as the specified functions and relationships thereof areappropriately performed.

The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not allexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as contemplated by theinventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosureand the appended claims in any way.

The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A client-user implemented document andcommunication creation system for generating a communication using aremote terminal remote from the system, the system comprising: at leastone memory including computer program instructions; and at least oneprocessor that may be accessed remotely by the terminal, wherein the atleast one memory and the computer program instructions are configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the system at least to: storeat least one client-user generated rule/instruction; provide at leastone template wherein the template has a data-insertable zone therein;receive client-user specified data insertion instructions comprisingclient-user specified data from the remote terminal to the processor;process the transmitted client-user specified data insertioninstructions in accordance with one or more client-user generatedrule/instruction of the at least one client-user generatedrule/instruction; insert the received client-user specified data intothe zone, in accordance with at least one client-user generatedrule/instruction; process a final approval of the communicationcontaining the client-user specified data; process a transmission modespecification; and transmit the finally approved communication inaccordance with the transmission mode specification.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the specified data comprises text.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the specified data comprises graphic materials.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the specified data comprises visual material.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing the transmittedclient-user specified data insertion instructions comprises generatingdata based on the one or more client-user generated rule/instruction. 6.The system of claim 1, further comprising template storage.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising communication storage.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the finally approved communication comprisesa proxy and wherein the at least one memory and the computer programinstructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe system at least to: receive an on-line line response from arecipient of a proxy or other material by electronic response or hardcopy response converted to electronic format.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one memory and the computer program instructionsare configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to present material for review at a plurality of points in theproduction cycle to ensure compliance with at least one of aclient-user's internal rules or compliance with state, federal, or otherstatutory or regulatory rules.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein theclient-user specified data insertion instructions obtain the data from acommunication in the communication storage.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one memory and the computer program instructionsare configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the system atleast to present compliance with the client-user specified datainstructions in real time.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one memory and the computer program instructions are configuredto, with the at least one processor, cause the system at least toperform communication aggregation.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinmultiple communications are aggregated and transmitted as a singlecommunication.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission modeis one or more of the following: physical delivery; electronic delivery;electronic mail attachment delivery; or SMS/text delivery.
 15. A methodfor generating a client-user created and implemented document andcommunication using a terminal that is interconnected remotely to thesystem, the method comprising: storing at least one client-usergenerated rule/instruction; providing at least one template wherein thetemplate has a data-insertable zone therein; receiving client-userspecified data insertion instructions comprising client-user specifieddata from the remote terminal to the processor; processing thetransmitted client-user specified data insertion instructions inaccordance with one or more client-user generated rule/instruction ofthe at least one client-user generated rule/instruction; inserting thereceived client-user specified data into the zone, in accordance with atleast one client-user generated rule/instruction; processing a finalapproval of the communication containing the client-user specified data;processing a transmission mode specification; and transmitting thefinally approved communication in accordance with the transmission modespecification.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the finally approvedcommunication comprises a proxy, the method further comprising:receiving an on-line line response from a recipient of a proxy or othermaterial by electronic response or hard copy response converted toelectronic format.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:presenting data for review at a plurality of points in the productioncycle to ensure compliance with at least one of a client-user's internalrules or compliance with state, federal and other statutory orregulatory rules.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the processing thetransmitted client-user specified data insertion instructions comprisesgenerating data based on the one or more client-user generatedrule/instruction.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprisingaggregating a plurality of communications.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising: aggregating and transmitting multiple communicationsas a single communication.